RAJOURI, FEB 19: Thirteen more villagers from Badhaal in the Kotranka sub-division, who had been lodged in an isolation centre following a spate of mysterious deaths in their area, were allowed to return home on Wednesday, officials said.
With this latest batch, all 395 people housed in three separate isolation centres in Rajouri town have now returned home over the past week after spending more than three weeks in isolation.
Authorities began the phased return on February 13, when around 350 members from 17 families were released, followed by another 32 villagers on February 15.
The mass isolation was imposed after 17 members of three families, including 13 children, died under mysterious circumstances between December 7 and January 19 in Badhaal village. The victims reportedly fell ill before succumbing, prompting fears of a possible health hazard.
The last group of 13 individuals, who had been quarantined at the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, were discharged on Wednesday after medical clearance.
While the exact cause of the deaths remains undetermined, preliminary investigations suggest that neurotoxins in the food chain may be responsible. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), along with experts from leading health institutions across the country, continues to probe the incident.
The GMC Rajouri has been at the forefront of managing the crisis, with teams of medical professionals working to prevent further casualties and ensure the safe return of villagers.
